Closing Updated:
Dr Piotr Antoni Switalski also touched upon the international fallout of the Iran battle and Poland’s alignment with NATO and the European Union amid Trump’s snub
Polish ambassador Dr Piotr Antoni Switalski (left) in dialog with CNN-News18.
As tensions in West Asia ripple far past the battlefield, disrupting energy markets, stranding citizens, and sorting out the boundaries of international diplomacy, countries the sector over are recalibrating their response. While Poland has ruled out any insist militia role, it remains closely engaged within the evolving geopolitical landscape thru its alliances and diplomatic outreach.
In an irregular dialog with CNN-News18, Poland ambassador Dr Piotr Antoni Switalski reflects on the international fallout of the battle, Poland’s alignment with NATO and the European Union, and why he sees India as a really a lot bridge-builder in an an increasing selection of divided world.
Edited Excerpts:
How has the Iran battle affected Poland?
Thousands of Polish vacationers had been unable to attain house from the Gulf states. There is also the design back of rising oil costs. While we are circuitously reckoning on oil offers from the Gulf, the international amplify in costs impacts us, including what we pay in Poland.
For certain, there are varied disruptions that we’re going to if truth be told feel. So, one can speak that this battle has international implications. Many countries are affected and are looking out to contend with the effects.
For India, the influence is design bigger in its case, on myth of tens of millions of Indians reside within the Gulf states. There are also many Indian ships stranded within the Persian Gulf with Indian sailors on board. Moreover, there are complications within the provide of gas and oil to India.
Poland has ruled out insist militia involvement within the Iran battle. How does Warsaw belief to contribute diplomatically to de-escalation in West Asia?
As you mentioned, we construct no longer and is no longer going to take part within the battle in a militia sense. On the other hand, we toughen our allies and companions, and we are ready to have interaction in discussions on how we’re going to contribute. We strongly hope for de-escalation and mediation.
We behold India as a really correct candidate for taking part in a mediating role—no longer only in this particular battle, but in a broader sense. The design back is that this battle is appropriate no doubt one of many challenges we are going thru this day. These are very turbulent occasions. There are varied conflicts and trends affecting present chains, alternate exchanges, and more.
Because the international neighborhood, including India and Poland, we are addressing these challenges one after the other, looking out to reply to instant threats. On the other hand, my recommendation could be to seek recordsdata from past the instant considerations and replicate more deeply, on myth of the whole machine of international governance requires systemic reform.
India is in a certain location this day to behave as a bridge-builder and mediator—an intermediary. The field is extraordinarily divided. Some divisions are valid and deep, whereas others are more emotional. It is time to take care of these divisions and check up on to bridge the gaps.
Does Poland align fully with america and the European Union consensus, or is it shaping an self sustaining stance on the battle?
We are a real ally of NATO and a dedicated member of the European Union. Poland is amongst the five finest EU individuals. We are also segment of the Weimar Triangle with Germany and France, where we speak about EU insurance policies and act in a spirit of cohesion and agreement.
Lately, the meeting between EU distant places ministers and Dr S Jaishankar in Brussels became once very productive. It demonstrated the importance of dialogue and coordination. My minister and varied EU ministers had been very contented with the discussions with India.
As I mentioned earlier, India is smartly positioned—partly due to its philosophy rooted in non-violence and renewal—to behave as a leader in finding systemic alternate solutions to international challenges. The European Union is willing to work more actively and intensively with India.
India has consistently known as for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy. It has also demonstrated effective diplomacy by enticing directly with Iran, enabling Indian vessels to attain safely. Given India’s family individuals with america, Israel, and Iran, does this originate it a solid contender for mediating this disaster?
Yes, I mediate so. It became once slightly symbolic that throughout the Raisina Conference in Original Delhi, deputy distant places ministers from america, Israel, and Iran had been all most unusual at the identical time. They all considered India as a really a lot interlocutor.
The divisions within the sector—whether North-South, East-West, developed vs rising, or democracies vs autocracies—are deep. On the other hand, India is smartly positioned to behave as a bridge-builder and encourage gain overall ground.
We also behold boundaries in international institutions. Shall we embrace, the United Nations has struggled to acknowledge effectively to most unusual conflicts and even faces financial considerations.
There had been attacks on serious energy infrastructure in West Asia, including in Qatar and Iran. How construct you assess the influence of those trends, especially on international oil costs?
We are very concerned. These attacks signify a vital disruption to the provide of energy sources. We stand in cohesion with the Gulf states, which would possibly perhaps be the vital victims of this weaponisation of oil and gas offers.
The United States has allowed waivers on Russian oil to stabilise international impolite costs. How construct you seek recordsdata from this capacity?
We tag that right here’s a brief lived emergency measure. On the other hand, as one EU distant places minister mentioned, “there is nothing more dear than low-cost Russian oil”. Even if Russia benefits financially in the short term, we do not believe it will help them succeed in their broader aggressive policies.
There are also statements from US leadership questioning NATO’s role. How do you see this?
Poland maintains excellent relations with the United States. Our leadership shares a strong rapport. We remain committed to NATO and believe the alliance has a strong future. We are confident that the United States understands the value of NATO, and it will remain important in the years ahead.
There is growing debate about the need for a new world order. What role do you see for India in shaping it?
India is uniquely positioned to take the lead in discussions on a brand new model of international governance. I agree that primarily the most unusual international account for is an increasing selection of ineffective. The most unusual battle is one more example of its boundaries.
We want to seek recordsdata from past individual crises and look for the foundations of the machine. Given the deep international divisions, India—with its philosophy, diplomatic steadiness, and solid international relationships—is smartly suited to behave as a leader and bridge-builder.
Europe has high expectations for India’s role. You have the political and philosophical capacity, as well as strong relations with major global players. This places India at the forefront of efforts to shape a new global order.
Do you believe India can play a similar role in the Russia–Ukraine conflict?
Yes, absolutely. Even before President Putin’s visit, our Deputy Foreign Minister expressed hope that Russia would listen to India’s message—perhaps more than to any other country.
First Published:
March 21, 2026, 10:01 IST
News india ‘India In Unique Position To Be Bridge-Builder, Mediator In West Asia’: Polish Ambassador | Exclusive
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